Name: Creamy Broccoli Rotini
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 9 ounces rotini pasta (uncooked); 4 cups chopped broccoli florets (fresh or frozen); to taste Salt and pepper; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter; 2 teaspoons minced garlic; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; 1/2 teaspoon onion powder; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme (optional); 1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth; 1 cup heavy cream; 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese (see note 1); to taste Red pepper flakes (optional); 1 lemon (optional); to taste finely chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Description

A creamy and delicious rotini pasta dish loaded with fresh broccoli and seasoned to perfection.

Ingredients

Scale

9 ounces rotini pasta (uncooked)
4 cups chopped broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
to taste Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme (optional)
1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
3/4 cup Parmesan cheese (see note 1)
to taste Red pepper flakes (optional)
1 lemon (optional)
to taste finely chopped fresh parsley (optional)

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Instructions

Chop fresh broccoli into small florets. If using frozen, it should sizzle and boil. Scrape up any browned bits off the pan. Once this broth mostly evaporates, add the other 1/2 cup. Stir.
Add in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Stir to mix. Simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, 3–5 minutes or until sauce thickens and slightly reduces. The sauce shouldn’t boil—reduce heat and stir more frequently if needed.
Once you have a thick and creamy sauce, add drained pasta and broccoli. Use tongs to toss ingredients into cream sauce until sauce thickens and nicely coats the pasta, 1–2 minutes. If sauce is too thick, slowly add in set-aside pasta water. Taste and adjust, adding more salt/pepper to taste. Add lemon zest to taste if desired.
Serve immediately. Top individual plates with a touch more Parmesan if you like and fresh parsley. Add red pepper flakes and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to individual plates as desired. Enjoy immediately! Pasta is best enjoyed right after being tossed!

Notes

For extra flavor, consider adding some lemon zest or a squeeze of lemon juice before serving.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Pasta
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 450
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 450mg
Fat: 25g
Saturated Fat: 15g
Unsaturated Fat: 8g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 45g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 15g
Cholesterol: 60mg